Learning from Traditional Knowledge to Understand Climate Change Impacts

Location: Ka‘ūpūlehu, Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Islands)

How can native Hawaiians preserve their cultural ties to the land in a changing future climate?

Using biocultural and participatory approaches, this project carries out an in-depth study of traditional and local ecological knowledge (TEK) in Ka‘ūpūlehu, Hawai‘i Island. Researchers and community members identify knowledge relevant to environmental change; the biological and cultural resources most valued by community members; and coping mechanisms, adaptation strategies and resources that promote social-ecological resiliency. Products include a compilation of TEK that relates adaptation to environmental change; maps of culturally important resources under current and predicted climate change scenarios and strategies for their conservation; the development of community-based monitoring plans for key cultural resources; as well as a TEK website.

Project Partners:

University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa

Center for Conservation Research and Training

Kamehameha Schools

Ka‘ūpūlehu Interpretive Center at Kalaemanō

NOAA

Ho’olā Ka Makana’ā—Ka’ūpūlehu Dryland Forest Programs (HFIA)